Accused DUI driver Calista Garcia back in Monterey jail

Calista Garcia, 23, of Monterey, is seen in a police mug shot on July 13, 2012.

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Calista Garcia, 23, of Monterey, is seen in a police mug shot on July 13, 2012.

A 23-year-old Monterey woman accused of three DUIs is back in jail.

California Highway Patrol investigators said Calista Garcia was high on marijuana and an illegal stimulant when she drove a Jeep Cherokee the wrong-way on Highway 1 near Point Lobos and slammed head-on into another vehicle.

The deadly crash happened on on Jan. 19, 2011, but she is still waiting to be put on trial.

On Friday, Garcia failed to show up in court. A judge issued a bench warrant and Garica was arrested and re-booked into the Monterey County jail. She is charged with murder and faces life in prison if convicted.

Garcia's Jeep crossed over the double yellow lines and hit a 1999 Oldsmobile sedan driven by James Steinmetz, 49, of Sacramento.

Steinmetz died at the scene and Garcia had minor injuries.

Garcia's defense attorney said Garcia has been living in a drug rehab center in Santa Cruz. A mug shot showed that her physical appearance changed during the past year.

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